A group of entrepreneurs have risen to the nation’s PPE challenge and will help remake the regional economy in the process.
Jackson, Ohio, was once home to a thriving coal and pig iron industries. Today, frozen entrees, bourbon barrels and now the manufacturing of millions of face makes are helping to grow the regional economy.
Phoenix Quality Manufacturing, LLC has announced plans to add a personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturing operation to Jackson, Ohio. The facility will convert 23,000 square feet of the former Elemetal (Ohio Precious Metals) facility into an N95 mask manufacturing operation. A group of investors, including Alan Stockmeister, plans to add 40 new jobs and invest $4.3M into the operation.
Phoenix Quality Manufacturing, LLC will initially focus production on cloth surgical masks and FDA approved 1830 and 8210 model N95 masks. An N95 mask is a particulate-filtering face mask that meets the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) classification for air filtration. The 1830 and 8210 model N95 mask are available to clinicians on the front lines in battling the COVID-19 response.
The project was announced during Governor Mike DeWine’s twice-weekly press conference by Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “We know we need PPE, we know we need jobs, we know we need economic development, put in some of that startup capital in to get this going and hopefully we’ll be able to sustain this because we don’t want to ever find ourselves again in a position where we don’t have adequate PPE to serve our state,” said Lt. Gov. Jon Husted.
The novel coronavirus has trigged increased demand for N95 masks all over the world. The N95 mask is used to protect the wearer from airborne particles and from the liquid contamination of the face. The N95 masks are specially designed to filter out at least 95% of particles from breathing in. N95 masks can be reusable for 3 to 4 days on average and are essential pieces of personal protective equipment.
“This project is incredibly exciting for Jackson and for our region,” said Mike Jacoby, OhioSE President. Jacoby added, “This new operation will be meeting an urgent market need by producing a high volume of N95 masks and creating Ohio jobs in the process. We commend Alan Stockmeister and the rest of the team for undertaking this endeavor.”
“Jackson, Ohio is a great place to have a manufacturing operation,” said Seth Stockmeister of Phoenix Quality Manufacturing. “There’s good labor force, hardworking people, and we’re excited to be here.”
The project received a $250,000 JobsOhio revitalization grant and a $500,000 PPE grant from the Ohio Development Services Agency, in addition to support from the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, Appalachian Growth Capital, and private investors.
“We are thrilled that Jackson County is going to be the home of Phoenix Quality Manufacturing’s new production facility,” said Sam Brady, Jackson County Economic Development Partnership Executive Director. “In light of the current global pandemic, it is critical that our nation have access to quality PPE produced using North American quality standards. The Jackson County Economic Development Partnership is proud that we could provide assistance, in partnership with JobsOhio, to Phoenix Quality Manufacturing’s project team and secure new manufacturing jobs for Jackson County.”
Additional coverage:
- “Ohio company getting ready to make N95 masks at Jackson, Ohio facility” – WCHS, 10/12/2020
- “New Life Breathed into Beaver Pike Plant” – The Telegram, 10/09/2020
- “N95 mask manufacturing plant to open in Jackson” – WSAZ NewsChannel, 10/07/2020
